Quote:
Originally Posted by Hockey Fan #751
Not only the Cup team, but he was an Oilers killer. Oilers ran the Flames' show fully and completely until Vernon showed up and for whatever reason his arrival in Calgary just flipped the Battle of Alberta on its head immediately.
Look at the 1985-86 season as an example. Six straight defeats, Edmonton over Calgary to start the season series. Then Vernon gets called up. 4-4 tie in his third game after the call-up. Then, near the end of the season the Flames trounce the Oilers 9-3 with Vernon in net for their first win over the Oilers in 13 tries dating back two seasons.
Then Smythe Division Final. Vernon starts Game 1, Flames win in Edmonton for the first time since 1984. Game 2, Lemelin starts and allows 6 goals on 29 shots (6-5 OT loss).
Vernon then plays the rest of that series and we know the result.
86-87, Flames narrow the gap in points between themselves and Edmonton from 30 to 11. And then every season after that while Vernon was a Flame, the Flames had a better record than the Oilers with the only exception being 1991-92.
Someone mentioned how the Flames would have won the Cup in 1995 if Vernon wasn't traded. I agree. I also think if Vernon didn't get injured in 1993, they would have made a deep run. Losing 9-4 and 9-6 in Games 5 and 6 thanks to Jeff Reese were killers. Reese allowed 9 goals on 18 shots in Game 6. Just horrible.
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And people want to increase scoring.
People miss the days of 9.00 GAA and 500 sv pct?
I seriously want the Pens to lose, but there is no denying that watching Murray play out of his mind has been fun to watch this post season.